Passing of the Pioneers

Read about a long time manager of “Burswood”, the Henty homestead, a man who grew new teeth at 80 and two women who lived in the same houses for over 60 years.

Benjamin EDRICH – Died November 18, 1887, Portland. The “Portland Guardian” reported at the time of Benjamin EDRICH’s death that another resident “had been removed by the hand of the Grim Destroyer”. Benjamin had been in the hotel business for many years.

George BUSH – Died November 18, 1909, Portland. George BUSH arrived in Portland in 1853 in his early twenties. A seaman, George was instrumental in rescuing passengers from the wreck of the “Jane” at Bridgewater some years later.

Peter GOLDSMITH – Died November 23, 1909, Portland. Peter GOLDSMITH arrived in Portland in 1853 aboard the “Cornelius” captained by Thomas H. CLARKE. Clarke’s son Thomas Denton CLARKE was mentioned in the October Passing of the Pioneers. Four months after his arrival Peter GOLDSMITH married Miss BLAY and they had nine children. He was 85 at the time of his death.

Michael TOBIN – Died November 13, 1916, Murtoa. The “Horsham Times” reported the death of Michael Tobin, a Justice of the Peace and former Councillor with the Dunmunkle Shire. Michael arrived at Geelong in 1853, with his parents from Kilkenny, Ireland. He worked with his father who ran a carrying business to the diggings. Michael later lived in the Warrnambool area where he married Mary CLUNE. In 1872, Michael was one of the first settlers in the Wimmera.

George JARRATT – Died November 1919, Portland. George JARRATT arrived in 1848 to Portland and married soon after. He and his wife, a daughter of Thomas KEAN, had 12 children.

Rose Genevive McCRYSTAL – Died November 8, 1920, Caulfield. Rose McCRYSTAL, was the daughter of well-known Portland resident Pat McCrystal. She married W. PEARSON, and moved to Hamilton. After her husband was killed in a buggy accident, she moved back to Portland where she married Antonio RIZZO in 1891. They later returned to Hamilton.

William POLAND – Died November 20, 1922, Portland. William POLAND arrived in Portland in 1856. He met Edward HENTY and acquired the position of manager of “Burswood”, the Henty’s original homestead. William held the position for 25 years.

Mrs Row was 94 when she died in 1923, however the obituary reads she arrived in Portland in 1836 as a married woman! I think this may have been a typo.

Mrs Isabella ROBB – Died November 8, 1927, Portland. Mrs ROBB managed to pass Mrs ROW (above) for the longest time in one house. She lived in the same house for 65 years. Originally from Scotland, Isabella arrived in Portland aboard the “Indian Ocean” in 1854 with her husband William. She was 96 when she died and left seven children, 23 grandchildren, 29 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. She was buried at the North Portland Cemetery.

Sarah MILLARD – Died November 10, 1927, Paschendale. Sarah MILLARD was the daughter of William MILLARD of Narrawong. She married William Henry ANNETT in 1870 and they 10 children, eight sons and two daughters. William or Henry as he was known was also known as the “Father of Wallacedale”. He died only weeks earlier than Sarah on September 29. Unfortunately I missed his obituary for the September Passing of the Pioneers, as it appeared in an October issue, but it will definitely appear in September 2012. Henry’s obituary is one of the best I have read, and what a life he led, especially before he married Sarah. If you can wait until next year, this is the link: Obituary of William Henry Annett. I also spent too much time trying to find a link between Sarah MILLARD and William MILLARD, the winner of the first Stawell Gift. He may have been Sarah’s brother, but there were a lot of Millards. Research for another time.

Mrs Agnes CHEQUER – Died November 10, 1942, Horsham. Agnes CHEQUER arrived in Brisbane with her new husband Ralph in 1886 aboard the “Roma“, having married in their home country of Scotland before departing. Over the years they spent time in Melbourne, Portland and Quantong. At Quantong, the CHEQUERS cleared the land and planted orchards and for thirty years Agnes helped Ralph with the orchard work. One memorable events in the CHEQUERS was in 1911 when they travelled to England for the coronation of King George V.

James COLES – Died November 18, 1944, Stawell. James COLES was born in the mid 1850s close to the Melbourne GPO. After time in Avoca, James moved to Stawell as a teenager, later to marry Louisa GILHAM. He remained in Stawell until his death at 91, aside from a short stint at nearby Fyans Creek.

Thomas THOMPSON – Died November 17, 1945, Portland. Thomas THOMPSON from Ireland, began his time in Australia in Western Australia as a miner. Unsuccessful he headed to Victoria and the Portland district.

Annie KERR – Died November 1947, Portland. Annie KERR was the daughter of early Portland residents, her father a doctor. Interesting that he had not practiced before his arrival in Portland! Annie went on to marry John NEWTON.

Joseph Levi Richard BAKER – Died November 27, 1950, Hamilton. Joseph BAKER was born around 1877 and lived in Collins Street Hamilton. He enjoyed tennis and summer trips to Portland. The obituary reported he was known throughout the Commonwealth for his calligraphy skill. He left a wife Bertha and two daughters.

Carl Frederick Wilhelm PULS – Died November 12, 1953, Lower Norton. Carl PULS had many claims to fame, but one was his ability to grow new teeth at the age of 80. Carl was a respected pioneer of the Horsham district and was sadly found dead by his car after a trip to gather wood.

John BERRY – Died November 12, 1953, Horsham. John BERRY’S death came on the same day as Carl ULS (above). The BERRY family were pioneers in the Blackheath district, north of Horsham. They later moved to Horsham and John attended the Horsham State School. John married Ethel KNIPE of Ballarat and worked at Horsham car dealer Wilson Bolton for over 40 years. He held one of the first driving licenses in Victoria, but had driven previous to that, in a time when a licences was not required…scary. I noted that John had a brother James from Hamilton. This may have been the same James BERRY of James Berry & Sons Jewellers , a long established business in Hamilton when I was growing up there in the 1970s and 80s.

One response to “Passing of the Pioneers”

Kia ora Merrin :)
I have just had this blog passed on to me by a family tree cousin. I would like to introduce you to another member of the ANNETT family (my great-great grandmother) Mary Jane through my blog